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Prepared by Manpreet Dhalla

Ryanair
MarketBuster Summary Before the advent of low cost-low frill airlines, major companies such as British Airways dominated the European airline industry. Other industry trends included the European Union’s strict regulations on the industry; until 1997, an airline from one member nation could not fly passengers within another nation’s domestic market.1 Thus, Ryanair entered an industry with large obstacles to overcome. Nonetheless, it was able to bust the market by operating with lowcosts while maintaining profits, differentiating itself with superior customer service, and achieving cost savings through its use of the internet. As a result of its MarketBusting strategies, Ryanair has become the largest low fare carrier in Europe. For its fiscal year 2004, the company brought in revenues of $1.32 billion, an increase of 44% from the previous year. Ryanair currently provides service to 93 cities across Europe, carrying over 15 million passengers per year. The company has 45 aircraft, with hopes of increasing this total to 100 aircraft by 2008. As of early 2005, Ryanair had 12 bases serving over 19 countries across Europe.2 The Story Ryanair began operations in 1985, carrying over 5,000 passengers on its lone route between Waterford Airport (South Eastern Ireland) and London Gatwick in its first year. The company continued to expand over the following years and by 1989, the company had 350 employees, 14 aircraft, and carried 600,000 passengers a year. However, Ryanair’s costs rose dramatically and it recorded losses of £20 Million over four years despite its growth.3 Although consumers were continuing to fly Ryanair due to its low costs, some type of change was needed in order to revamp the company. In 1990-91, Ryanair came under new management and conducted a major overhaul of the company. Ryanair adopted Southwest Airline’s low fares-low frills concept and cut back its routes from 19 to 5. By 1991, Ryanair had 6 aircraft, 350 employees, and carried 700,000 passengers per year on just five routes. From 1991-1997, the company increased its fleet from 6 to 21 and also increased its routes from Ireland to the United Kingdom. Throughout this period, Ryanair continued to see a growing number of passengers due to its low fares.4 The only obstacle now holding Ryanair back from exploding onto the market was the strict regulations imposed on European airlines. 1997 marked a turning point in both the European airline industry as well as for Ryanair due to the deregulation of European Union air transportation; airlines were now free to open up new routes to Continental Europe. Ryanair took full advantage of this opportunity as it opened routes from London Stansted to Stockholm and Oslo as well as routes from Dublin to Paris and Brussels. By 2001, Ryanair was publicly traded and also had Europe’s largest travel website. Within three months of its launch in 2000, the website received over 50,000 bookings per week. MarketBusting Moves Ryanair gained success and outperformed its competitors by busting the market. The company employed several marketbusting strategies including:
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2002.
. Ryanair’s passenger base has grown from 6. 2004. 93% of Ryanair’s 180. Ryanair has provided and improved upon both these positives.1 million in 2000 to 23.5 million to €226. Disrupt. The introduction of new aircraft should reduce maintenance costs. passengers enjoy on-time flights.10 Thus. despite a loss from 2003 to 2004.1 million in 2004. a firm can drastically differentiate itself in an industry which can be commoditized.7 Ryanair’s no-frills methodology has also improved efficiency and productivity. respectively.e. The company is currently transitioning from the B737-200s and B737-300s. 2004 12 ‘Airlines in Europe’. profits have increased from €72. Ryanair was #1 in the following categories: Lowest Fares.6 Despite the fact that consumers are often placed outside the cities of destination. 11 ‘Annual Report 2004’. 2004. complimentary meals and drinks. these airports are less congested and thereby provide for a greater turnaround and aircraft utilization time. and newspapers have been eliminated. to new B737-800s. Employees are compensated for sales and thus Ryanair benefits through higher profits and efficiency. As a result. On-Time Flights.5 million.5 so the transition to newer aircraft should serve Ryanair well. Ryanair reaps the profits from such secondary services by charging customers for in-flight services and other travel expenses such as travel insurance. Ibid. Ryanair’s cost advantages are very significant. or Alter the Evolutionary Trajectory Ryanair realized that consumers desire transportation that was fast and inexpensive. Ryanair created a strategy that drastically differed from the likes of British Airways. Disrupt.5 with the next lowest value for European carriers being 7.9 By maintaining low costs through various means. By having low fares. Based on the Southwest low cost-low frills model. Other low-cost operators began to emerge and throughout the years these companies have pushed both traditional operators and charter airlines to adopt the idea of short-haul routes.000 flights were on-time in 2004. driving or trains) now choose to fly. Traditional in-flight services such as seat allocation. In 2004.
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Butcher. 7 ‘Annual Report 2004’.12 #6 & #7: Dramatically Improve Positives & Eliminate Tolerables/Emerging Dissatisfiers By improving Positives and Eliminating Tolerables and Dissatisfiers.1 (easyJet). Lufthansa and Air France. For example. Instead. or Alter the Evolutionary Trajectory #6: Dramatically Improve Positives #7: Eliminate Tolerables or Emerging Dissatisfiers #2: Digitize to combine or replace links in an existing chain
#29: Redirect. In 2001. individuals who would otherwise have chosen an alternative method of transportation (i. and stocking of spare parts. As mentioned earlier.11 Over the same time. low costs and efficiency were essential. Competitors like easyJet and British Airways stood at 88% and 82. 9 Binggeli & Pompeo. Secondary airports offer lower landing and gate fees than larger traditional airports. Ryanair’s use of point to point secondary airports has helped it maintain low costs as well. customers want flights to be cheap and quick. Ryanair’s low-cost-low frills strategy changed the competitive landscape of the European airline industry. In order to provide such a cheap method of transportation. the costs per available seat mile (ASK) were only 4. Ryanair transformed the industry business model by becoming a low cost carrier which was still able to maintain profits via reduced costs.8 Overall. maintenance. Ryanair used a single fleet of aircraft which allows for economies of scale in scheduling and training crews. Least Cancellations. 2004. The B737-200s have been under much scrutiny due to their age.• • • •
#29: Redirect. 8 Ibid. Also.6%. 10 Butcher. Ryanair has been able to differentiate itself by satisfying its customers. Thus. Ryanair can focus on high volumes (quantity of passengers) rather than large margins (per passenger) like other major airlines. 2004. that Ryanair bought secondhand.

Butcher. but it was not until the industry was deregulated in 1997 before Ryanair could take full advantage of its low cost advantages. On a per passenger basis. Ryanair has improved both the positives that customers want when flying but also reduced many of the tolerables and dissatisfiers. It is estimated that Ryanair’s low marketing and distribution costs account for roughly 10-15% of its cost advantage over other airlines. The company hopes to be the largest airline within 8 years. Ryanair’s success and ingenuity has sparked and changed the trajectory of the European airline industry. 2004. no-frills strategy was put into place in 1991 by new management.15 Key Lessons Ryanair’s MarketBusting strategies have made it one of the premier airlines in Europe. costs are only €.and Fewest Lost Bags. 2005. 15 Grassley. Its low-cost. 2002. saves over €40 million annually due to its ebusiness. #2: Digitize to Combine or Replace Links in an Existing Chain Ryanair is able to reach its customers at a low expense because of its successful website.16
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‘Annual Report 2004’.70 per passenger. 16 ‘History of Ryanair’.13 Customers are thus not only paying less but also receiving better service than Ryanair’s competitors. 2004. Thus.14 According to Ryanair’s Commercial Director and Chief Financial Officer. which compares to 2% each for its telephone sales and counter sales. Michael Cawley.
. 96% of the company’s ticket distribution is through the web.